Arsenal star reveals personal record that could boost Gunners’ Champions League hopes

Gidibam Web4 weeks ago

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Image credit: Getty Images

Gabriel Martinelli has labelled Arsenal Champions League semi-final showdown against Paris Saint-Germain as the biggest game of his life — and an opportunity for the Gunners to turn a difficult season into a historic one.

This is Arsenal’s first appearance in a Champions League semi-final in 16 years, and despite the club’s rich domestic history, success on the European stage has largely eluded them. That’s why Martinelli sees this moment as a golden opportunity for the current generation to cement their place in the club’s folklore.

“It’s the biggest game of my life,” Martinelli said ahead of Tuesday’s first-leg clash at the Emirates. “Since I was five or six years old, it’s been a dream. We deserve to be here and we are ready. It’s an opportunity for our lives. Everyone who loves football wants to play in these games. We have to enjoy the moment and be ready.”

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Martinelli, who scored in Arsenal’s stunning quarter-final victory over Real Madrid at the Bernabéu, believes the Gunners are on the brink of something special.

Arsenal - Gabriel Martinelli — **Gabriel Martinelli (Image credit: Getty Images)**

“We deserve to be here, we deserve to win something for one of the great clubs in Europe,” he added. “We have an amazing opportunity and we will go into the game believing we can do it. We have this dream — the club has never won the title, and we deserve it because we are one of the greatest clubs in the world.”

Despite some domestic disappointments this season, Arsenal have been outstanding in Europe, with Martinelli playing a key role. Remarkably, the club has never lost a match in which the Brazilian has scored — a record that now stands at 50 goals.

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However, Martinelli insisted he would gladly sacrifice personal glory if it meant Arsenal could lift the Champions League trophy for the first time.

“If I need to run 15km, not score, and we win the Champions League, then I will still be the happiest man in the world,” he said. “I try to give my best for the team. I don’t think about that record, but I know about it.”

The winger also highlighted the importance of teamwork, particularly against a dangerous PSG side featuring stars like Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo.

“When we play against players like Vini and Rodrygo, we know the team needs a little extra help,” Martinelli explained. “Me and B [Bukayo Saka] try to help Jurrien [Timber] and Myles [Lewis-Skelly] and work hard for the team. We have huge respect for PSG — we’ve watched them — but we have an amazing team as well, and incredible supporters who will be behind us.”